and i must thank my constituents in san francisco for giving me the privilege of representing that beautiful and diverse city in the congress of the united states. they come here as representatives, independent representatives of their districts. their job description and their job title or one and the same, rep. how they do that, honoring their conscience, the constitution and their constituents is how they make their decisions about their votes. these 49 new members, they are personal manifestations of the american dream in their own lives and their parents' lives of crossing the threshold into being part of the american dream. that has two parts -- the dream part of the and the american part of it. it is not just the economics. it's certainly is important but it is about who we are as a country, promoting our values, keeping the world at peace, and respecting the judgment of the american people about how they make their personal decisions in their lives, respecting their creativity, honoring our country's founders' commitment to the future in every way. we have a responsibility to honor t